new * lenses... when does the price of quality to much?

Wow, great answer and you've been shooting for quite a long time! Yea having a kilo around your neck is quite straining after some time. The handgrip on the *Ist series gets uncomfortable after a short while especially with a heavy lens. Your index finger will being to hurt as it runs across the ridge on the grip. I like the *IstD/K grip design more.

There are indeed some fantastic, expensive lenses out there that can make a good image into a great one. On the other hand, only the most skilled photographers can really bring out the potential of a truly great lens (and no, I'm not trying to place myself in their company!).

This may sound kind of harsh, but there are probably more great lenses in the world than great photographers. For most of us, a very good lens is good enough.

And $1000 for a zoom? I'll take three or four second-hand primes for that kind of money. Personally, I'm a sucker for old Takumars...

Its based off what I can 'get' in my local area. Used *Ist series dslrs are obtainable at $400-500 CAN. I've seen people getting them new for that price too. Kit lenses can be purchased locally for $100 or slightly less. Same on Ebay. The DA 50-200mm ED is another popular and solid lens. $180CAN and collecting dust at a couple of local stores and big chains...$199 a common price too.

Even with a rather hefty 14% tax, you've still got around $100ish-$200. After the *Ist dL/ds + 18-55 + 50-200, you can go for a camera bag + some used goodies.

I like MF stuff more so I could take the $200 instead of the DA50-200 and get some old zoom off ebay or like many here recommend, KEH.com. and still have a considerable left over for cheap 2nd hand stuff or get an M42 adapter and look for some old takumars and russian stuff.

But $1000 can easily buy a decent camera setup that has a little bit of everything. Good focal length coverage, a flash head if you needed one, camera bag..even one of those on sale $20 tripods haha.

Oh a 1GB SD card (non brand name) easily goes for $15-20CAN. I've seen ads for 4GB going for under $100. They don't say SDHC...I dunno how they cram that much space into those things but even on a 1GB card, you're good for at least 300images.)

I know I know quality is a big issue here as well as at DPR, DCR, Steves, Imaging Resource. We've all gotten used to seeing those 100% crops. and maybe yea that $1000 lens will get you stellar IQ, SDM

but for those's looking to getting into the dslr scene..$1000 can more than easily get just about all ends covered. (W/o getting into 2.8 constants, manfrottos/wimberley, AF flashes, etc)

One of the main reasons that the pro lenses cost so much is that they're built to a higher mechanical standard. They are intended to be used a lot, and pretty constantly. You can't really afford to have a lens die on you in the middle of a job!

My understanding is they will continue to sell the 16-45/4 lens which seems highly respected and enjoyed by a lot of people. The 16-45/4 is certainly affordable. Introducing the star does not make the 16-45/4 lens any worse quality or value.

I certainly enjoy it. Great kit lens and fantastic image quality, although you soon realise that F4 can be quite limiting (although much better than a F5.6 @ 55 18-55)

Does anyone know how much the 50-135 will cost? I'm really interested in one, I think it'd be great for motorsport. If it's over AU$2k, I'll settle for a F2.8 Sigma 70-200.

I'd consider the 50-135 a bargain if:
1) it has the same build quality as the FA*'s,
2) SDM motor proves to be a lot quieter than in-body AF

The 9 aperture blades leaves me with little doubt about OOF renderings and the weather sealing also makes this lens highly desirable. Lastly, if Pentax is saying these are the sharpest digital lenses anywhere, I suspect the optics will deliver the goods.

For me, it's all about those first two points now. If the 50-135 and even the 16-50 deliver on these, then I'll be glad to pay the price for these lenses and knowing they'll take the abuse I dish out. If not, then I've just saved myself a couple of grand

EDIT: So to answer the question, Randy, it's not just the increase in optical performance that I'm looking for to justify the increase in cost. Rather, I'm looking for an increase in the ruggedness of the equipment (Same reason I opted for a K10D versus keeping my DS2).

First-name-basis friend-of-a-brother-of-a-friend at Diamonds Camera here in Adelaide It was pure luck that on another forum I use, a guy on there knew that his younger brother knew someone who worked there.